These are just a few of the City of Bossier City ‘good old boys’. I’m not ready to tackle the parish yet.
Lynn Austin will undoubtedly join their ranks. He was elected yesterday. As an appointed official, he wasn't qualified to be an official 'good old boy'.
There has been a lot of talk about getting new leadership by electing people who aren’t involved with the system.
Indeed, 11 of every 100 voters swamped the polls yesterday to do just that.
Oh wait, they didn’t, they voted for the establishment candidate.
May be time to retire that ‘good old boy’ thing.
Lo Walker – Mayor
Re-elected in 2009
NO OPPONENT
Tim Larkin – Councilman at Large
Re-elected in 2009
David Montgomery – Councilman at Large
Re-elected in 2009
David Jones – District 4
Re-elected in 2009
NO OPPONENT
Scott Irwin – District 1
Re-elected in 2009
NO OPPONENT
Bubba Williams – District 3
Re-elected in 2009
NO OPPONENT
Lo Walker is not a member of the "good ole boys" club. He and the city council do not get along. I don't care what charade they put on. Lo's problem is that he a WEAK leader. I believe he is a good person just not a good mayor. He seems more interested in what he can do for BAFB than the citizens of Bossier.
ReplyDeleteYou forgot one person on your list, the good ole boys leader, Jimmy Hall.
did you prefer we elect the good ol boy carl richard? have you ever dealt with the shreveport marshalls office?
ReplyDeleteI voted for Sam
ReplyDeleteI'm waiting on your Parish list. I imagine most folks can name number one.
ReplyDeleteAnon at 7:37 - The mayor is ex-officio 'good old boy'. You couldn't leave him out.
ReplyDeleteJimmy Hall is appointed - he serves at the will of the elected good old boys and so any good old boy power he possesses stems from them.
I thought good ole boys were good. Everytime I read that your are calling someone a good ole boy the Dukes of Hazzard theme song comes to mind and I think of all the good Bo and Luke did. If Bo and Luke would have kept at it, eventually they would be running hazzard county. So what's wrong with being a good ole boy. Never meaning no harm. If you are trying to give a negative connoatation to this group to keep people from voting for them, you may want to come up with a different brand name. Good Ole Boy will always have positive connotation in our area.
ReplyDeleteGee Jim,
ReplyDeleteThanks, I am honored. One thing though, I been unopposed twice. :)
Maybe that makes me double good ole boy?
ReplyDeleteAnon 757....Who is the parish good ole boy no. 1?
ReplyDeleteMaybe I need to throw up some Dukes of Hazard music on here too
ReplyDelete9:42 & 9:44 - Indeed, you are a double good ole boy. Unopposed twice, huh? I'll have to get to the bottom of that conspiracy!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteAnon 757....Who is the parish good ole boy no. 1?
April 3, 2011 9:56 PM
I would think the top elected official in the Parish. The same one who holds public meetings and doesn't let the public speak and promotes a deputy with 6 years of experience to the #2 position in the department disregarding those who have way more experience.
Jim, why don't you run for office? You seem to know "everything"!
ReplyDeleteReally, what is it that I know?
ReplyDeleteI will always support the "Good Ole Boys" and the system they run... It's pleasant to see that Lynn Austin won, which was no suprise, even though the Northwest Louisiana Rea Tarty Alliance cried foul over and over... They say FOUL, we say FAIL...
ReplyDeleteBossier City is hands down wiping the floor with Shreveport. From schools to crime to growth, Bossier City is doing something right. I credit that to the "good ole boys". I am so very proud to be in Bossier City vs. Shreveport and I believe most citizens feel the same. The vision of those in office, while not perfect, has certainly been a huge part of leading this city to success. The election on Saturday was my chance to thank the good ole boys and I will do it again and again. Bossier City needs elected officials who truly are committed to Bossier's future not taking us backwards.
ReplyDeleteIf Shreveport is your comparison for quality control, we've got serious problems. It's like saying compared to Obama, Hilary Clinton is conservative. It's not at all a good comparison.
ReplyDeleteAnon@10:33
ReplyDeleteDo you call the cyber command center a success? How bout laying off police and firemen because you've spent too much money? 6 million dollars in debt. Real successful.
congratulations to lynn austin. the best man won. I am proud to have voted for him
ReplyDeleteMatt,it sure has been quite. Why is there no updates on the tea party page. Get your camera out and get some pictures of the "Good Ole Boys" doing all kind of things. Just make sure you get the correct person this time. They are having a double secret meeting right now, Hurry
ReplyDeleteThere are some "good ole boys", and then there are some "good old boys". There is a difference between the two. Make no mistake, we do have both types in Bossier City and in the parish. Just because someone has worked their whole life in a political enviornment does not necessarily make you an ole boy. Lynn is an example of a "good old boy", and Deen is an example of a "good ole boy". Police, fire layoffs and budget woes are blamed on a man who had nothing to do with the city budget. Those actions you can blame on the city council. They are afterall, the owners of the purse strings.
ReplyDeleteWhile in Benton, we have, for all practical purposes, secret meetings on taxes and other matters by a "good ole boy". We had a changing of the guard in the sheriff's office that went unannounced. Deen was hoping to make it a quiet change that most of the public would not notice. But, what is an undersheriff?
Lots of strange events have swirled around his church. It might get real interesting!
Hey Jim,
ReplyDeleteI have a question for your bloggers. Exactly how many policemen where layed off and exactly how many firemen where layed off? I am curious as to the informed nature of your bloggers. Let's see.
I can tell you about the police department. 1 officer was laid off from the streets, 5 were laud off that had just completed the academy, and the other 34 retired or resigned and were never replaced. Bottom line BCPD has 40 fewer officers now than before. To fill the void, officers had to be moved out of specialized divisions back to patrol. The specialized divisions are severly understaffed to handle the workload for a city the size of Bossier.
ReplyDeleteThe city council doesn't care. All they were trying to do is cover the $6 million dollar debt they caused.
Your pension caused the debt. Do you really want the public to know that you lose nothing when your elite pension board waste money on golf courses. Does the public need to know that the elite pension board goes to Scotland every year on your money that the citizens have to shore up. Do they know that your contribution goes unchanged for 30 years. Look a every state in the country. Pensions that are ridiculous are draining the system dry. Back to the layoffs. Force reduction does through retirements. Not the huge layoffs spouted by these bloggers. Wanna go to the voter for $ for your retirement? That would be interesting.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, academy graduates are not employees.
ReplyDelete7:26
ReplyDelete1st of all pension did not cause the debt. The issue of the pension came up afterwards. 2nd we are losing plenty. Not only did we take a pay cut, we are now having to contribute more to the pension fund to cover the losses of these ridiculous golf courses. 3rd the city decided over 20 years ago to go with this system so it's just our system. Trust me, we are just as angry about this issue as everyone. We personally feel like those who are responsible should be in jail. This includes Hal Sutton.
And academy graduates are employees. Their paychecks say City of Bossier. Bossier City paid to train them and then other agencies got them for free.
ReplyDeleteAnon @ 7:26:
ReplyDeleteDo you really think that the average patrol officer has anything to do with the pension board? Surely you cannot be so thick. We have ZERO control over what the pension board does, how they spend the money, what our contribution is, or how investments are made.
We sign up for this job because it's our calling. We work weekends, nights, every single holiday, regardless of the weather. We miss family events, our children's birthdays, school events, because our city must be protected 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We are treated disrespectfully, assaulted, spat on, and cussed...and that's just the one's calling for help. Nevermind the suspects' behavior. We wear 30lbs of gear just to get out of the door wheather its 30 degrees or 110 degrees. We are subject to critique and criticism regardless of the situation or context.....All for a mind-blowing $871 every 2 weeks. I'd bet you're the very one who would call about something silly, then complain about the time it took me to respond. I knew when I became a cop that I would never be wealthy and rarely see gratitude, but I could barely get by on what I brought home. Is it too much to ask that I at least recieve a retirement after 30 years.
While in the academy candidates are paid. They may be employed on a probationary basis pending their passing of the P.O.S.T. exam, but they are still employees.
ReplyDeleteAnon @ 1738
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Doubtful we'll get a response. This mayor, and this city council are to blame for the debt this city is in. The fact that the city took away the education incentive as well as the longevity pay increase for your 1st 3 years and after 23 is also wrong. They are to blame! Hopefully the citizens will be reminded come election time.
You were not drafted.
ReplyDeleteApril 5, 7:45,
ReplyDeleteDon't run your mouth about being drafted. You, my friend are too scared to do this job. Oh, and by the way, I'm not a BCPD cop, I'm SPD and we ALL stick up for each other. So, go pee down your leg some place else.
Joe Cop said...
ReplyDeleteApril 5, 7:45,
Don't run your mouth about being drafted. You, my friend are too scared to do this job. Oh, and by the way, I'm not a BCPD cop, I'm SPD and we ALL stick up for each other. So, go pee down your leg some place else.
April 5, 2011 7:59 PM
You seem like we should bow down and kiss your feet. If so you are in the wrong job. You were hired to serve us, the public. No one forced you to be a cop so quit if you don't like it!
Lest you forget the cops pay taxes too. They don't get any cuts. So technically they are self employed. They do protect and serve but no where in anything does it say they have to take b.s. off of some anonymous who spouts his mouth off about what he doesn't know. Next time you see a cop walk up to him and tell him what you hide behind your computer screen and say. You are correct about them not being drafted and no you shouldn't kiss their feet. What you should do is be glad that people CHOOSE to keep your neighborhood from becoming another queensboro. Even if they do it for smart ass cowards like you.
ReplyDelete"Wanna go to the voter for $ for your retirement? That would be interesting."
ReplyDeleteThe voters would approve it if it was on a ballot.
8:39
ReplyDeleteYou are truly one ignorant soul. Let's me try explaining it to you in simpler terms.
We dont have a problem with the citizens of Bossier. We love our jobs and most love us back. You obviously being one of the exceptions.
Where we have a problem is these politicians decided to start building parking garages, $100 million dollar buildings, parks, gas stations, etc. They apparently woke up one morning and noticed they had spent $6 million too much. To fix this problem they decided to STEAL money from the police, fire, and city workers. We didn't cause the problem and don't feel we should have been punished for it either.
In our line of work, if something goes wrong someone is held accountable. None of them has accepted responsibility for this mess and no one has been held accountable. That is why we are so angry at THEM not the job or the public. GET IT?
PM
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
8:39
You are truly one ignorant soul. Let's me try explaining it to you in simpler terms.
We dont have a problem with the citizens of Bossier. We love our jobs and most love us back. You obviously being one of the exceptions.
Where we have a problem is these politicians decided to start building parking garages, $100 million dollar buildings, parks, gas stations, etc. They apparently woke up one morning and noticed they had spent $6 million too much. To fix this problem they decided to STEAL money from the police, fire, and city workers. We didn't cause the problem and don't feel we should have been punished for it either.
In our line of work, if something goes wrong someone is held accountable. None of them has accepted responsibility for this mess and no one has been held accountable. That is why we are so angry at THEM not the job or the public. GET IT?
April 5, 2011 9:22 PM
Welcome to the reality of politics. They've been using and abusing the taxpayers dollars for decades. And many still get re-elected time after time.
Anon April 5, 8:39
ReplyDeleteBeing a cop is the most rewarding career their is because it is ordained by God and God loves the police. Some of us give our lives in the protection of total strangers and unfortunatly that would mean you. We deal with killers everyday which is something you would know nothing about. We run in when everyone else is running out and we have visited places that you have only seen in your nightmares. So the next time you need to call the Police, don't bother.... handle it yourself.... NOT!
Joe Cop said...
ReplyDeleteAnon April 5, 8:39
Being a cop is the most rewarding career their is because it is ordained by God and God loves the police. Some of us give our lives in the protection of total strangers and unfortunatly that would mean you. We deal with killers everyday which is something you would know nothing about. We run in when everyone else is running out and we have visited places that you have only seen in your nightmares. So the next time you need to call the Police, don't bother.... handle it yourself.... NOT!
April 5, 2011 9:51 PM
You're right I'm not going to handle it myself. I will call the Police. Those that chose to become a Police officer did so knowing the dangers of doing so and their job is to serve and protect the public, one of which I am.
Anon 10:08 I hope you are molested by a group of sexually oppressed gorilla's. When the cops show up please say that you are anon 10:18.
ReplyDelete10:08
ReplyDeleteYou say that you will not handle it on your own but you will call the police... and then you say you are a public servant... WTH...
A garbage man???
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteAnon 10:08 I hope you are molested by a group of sexually oppressed gorilla's. When the cops show up please say that you are anon 10:18.
April 5, 2011 10:14 PM
I'll let them know who I am if them ol' gorillas get to me.
Joe Cop said...
ReplyDelete10:08
You say that you will not handle it on your own but you will call the police... and then you say you are a public servant... WTH...
A garbage man???
April 5, 2011 10:19 PM
Read it again, VERY slowly, and you'll notice I said I am a member of the public, not a public servant.
Joe Cop said...
ReplyDelete10:08
You say that you will not handle it on your own but you will call the police... and then you say you are a public servant... WTH...
A garbage man???
April 5, 2011 10:19 PM
I appreciate the garbage man (sanitation workers) and consider them very humble to do the job they do. No need to cut them down.
10:08
ReplyDeleteWe are well aware of the dangers and we know we serve the public. This conversation is about politicians abusing taxpayer money. Looking at the post, this is a conversation you started so don't try changing the context.
I agree, 10:08 you drew frist blood. You get what you get. Our local politicians are excellent at waisting our tax money. The police have a thankless job and I for one, am very thankful for the job that they do along with our military.
ReplyDeleteWould just like to say thank you to BCP officers. If I could double your salaries I would. I think most would agree.
ReplyDeleteNothing will change. Look at the Marshal's race.
ReplyDeleteLooks like someone left the lid off the sewer and a Shreveport cop got out.
ReplyDelete9:15
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell are you talking about??? What does a Shreveport police officer have to do with anything?
Wow, I've never seen such BS hatred for cops... Other than the thugs and white trash that like to roll around the streets in the passenger seat of a hoopty, laid back with a 40 in their lap, tail pipe smoking, busted speakers blaring distorted rap, dark tinted windows rolled down, and look out of the window with their wide brimmed hat slid sideways and say "F da po-leece!"... You idiots should be glad that these guys took the job of an officer and have stuck with it through the hard times because I sure as hell don't have the patience to put up with yall's crap attitudes. I wouldve already either slammed one of your gold plated tooth covers out or popped your collars back in place. Damn inconsiderate fools...
ReplyDeleteI thought this blog was about the Good Old Boys. I've seen a lot about the cops saying they are brave and their thankless job and rebuttals saying they're getting paid to do what they signed up to do. Let's get back to the theme. This election was to fill the remainder of Wyatt's term. Since many consider Austin a good old boy I wonder if he'll have any opponents when he runs for a full term?
ReplyDeleteWho knows... He'll still have my vote though... I wonder what the Northwest Louisiana Rea Tarty Alliance will think of next.
ReplyDeleteWhen is the election for the full term? I think it is this year but anyone know the date?
ReplyDeleteDoesn't the Sheriff's race come up this year also?
ReplyDeletethey have four years to prep a Shreveport city marshall to run agiant Marshall Austin. Maybe they can find one that has not been in so much trouble as Carl Richards.
ReplyDeleteLynn Austin will be a hard man to beat if he does if fact decide to keep the Marshalls job. I know from speaking with him that he is a straight to the point and a stand up guy. Bossier City has selected the right man for the job.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteDoesn't the Sheriff's race come up this year also?
April 6, 2011 12:47 PM
Former Deputy Sheriff Mike McConnell has already announced his intention to run and rumor is maybe Julian Whittington will also. Don't know what the election date is though.
I think the term "good ole boys" really refers to people who are connected to elected offices (aka the city attorney)or are in an elected office and have served for years and years. The reason most of these people are unopposed is because it is very hard running for political office. It takes a lot of money (the incumbent or "chosen one" usually has more access to $$)- it can get very ugly publicly - and it is very hard to unseat someone who has the political connections you don't. Even if you are running for the right reasons -like making a positive difference in your community-you probably can't beat the "establishment" candidate. That is just how it works.
ReplyDeleteThat is why I am a firm believer in term limits for ALL elected offices. That way, no one can serve long enough to get so entrenched in the system that they can't be beat. It gives other people who have a heart to serve, the chance to become elected. I think it evens the playing field.
The marshal's term is up in 2014. It is a 6 year term.
ReplyDeleteJim said...
ReplyDeleteThe marshal's term is up in 2014. It is a 6 year term.
April 6, 2011 1:24 PM
Well by that time he'll be another fully entrenched incumbent.
I wouldn't bet on that, there will be a Mayor's race in 2013 . . .
ReplyDeleteJim said...
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't bet on that, there will be a Mayor's race in 2013 . . .
April 6, 2011 1:48 PM
We might have Mayor Austin?
If the Marshal's race was "interesting" with Austin the Mayor's race will be something else!
ReplyDeleteMore people will care about the mayor's race than the marshal's race. If Austin decides to run for mayor I think more people will see what he is really about. Lynn Austin.
ReplyDeleteI assure you, Lynn Austin will not be running for Mayor. Not that he could not be elected, be the marshal's job was the only job he would ever run for, but he would never had ran against Johnny. He had already had his mind made up to resign his CAO position and go home. The marshal's office knew of that decision and decided he was their man and asked him to run. He has absolutely no desire to run for the mayor's office. Lynn is an outstanding leader and boss and will probably have the job for as long as he wants it. There is no one in Bossier who can beat him, and that crook in the Shreveport Marshals office needs to stay in Sport. He is just lucky Lynn is such a gentleman, cause the stuff that came out about him is general knowledge and doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of his nasty little deeds.
ReplyDelete9:30
ReplyDeleteYou seem to know Lynn Austin well. When is his salary reduction that he promised going to take effect?
Anonymous said...
ReplyDelete9:30
You seem to know Lynn Austin well. When is his salary reduction that he promised going to take effect?
April 7, 2011 12:07 AM
-----------------------
That is a good question. I wonder also when/if he will take the pay cut. There were comments about the shortage on the streets in the Police Dept. How many now have the word "chief" in their title? Asst. chiefs, deputy chiefs, administrative chiefs, etc. Just wondering if there are too many chiefs and not enough Indians?
I probably should have worded my comment as this so people don't think I'm confusing the Marshal with the Police Dept.
ReplyDelete-----------------------
That is a good question. I wonder also when/if he will take the pay cut. On another subject there were comments about the shortage on the streets in the Police Dept. How many now have the word "chief" in their title? Asst. chiefs, deputy chiefs, administrative chiefs, etc. Just wondering if there are too many chiefs and not enough Indians?
April 7, 2011 5:24 AM
I don't think Lynn even takes office until next week. Maybe the changes will take place AFTER he has taken office.
ReplyDelete5:24
ReplyDeleteThere is the chief and three deputy chief. Before under the Halphen administration, there was the chief, a deputy chief and two administrative chiefs. Before the Dep. Chief was civil service but due to a law change, the position is now appointed therefore eliminating the need for admin chiefs. It also eliminated the need for the Majors rank. So the law change is suppose to make things better but time will tell.
My question is, if Bossier City is so damned broke, why all the exuberant spending as of late? How can the police dispatchers get such a pay raise they are getting? How is it that the city's vehicle maintenance superintendent (a good old by Shriner) get a reported $15,000 a year pay raise? It seems that the only people getting ahead in Bossier City are Shriners or people related to Shriners.
ReplyDeleteBecause Jimmy Hall says so, that's why
ReplyDeleteHey genius, who ever said the city is broke?
ReplyDeleteWell when the Mayor and city council says your 6 million dollars in the hole, they start laying off police, fire, city workers, raise taxes to fix the water treatment plant. Threaten the public to renew another tax or they are going to have to lay off even more police and firemen. Sounds like the city is broke to me too. GENIUS. Not the publics fault if they lied or at the very least refuse to explain the situation any clearer than what they have.
ReplyDeleteOh and by the way, GREAT JOB on investing $40 million on an outdoor mall in Louisiana. Bankrupt and up for auction in a Sheriff's sale. Bang up job on that Cyber Innovation Center as well. My advise: quit trying to run Bossier City like a fortune 500 company trying to turn a profit. Get out the business of being in business.
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